Kate (2021)

I found this to be an incredibly fun and beautifully shot film. Who cares if it’s John Wick-esque? It’s not like he invented the genre. Mary Elizabeth Winsted was freakin’ awesome and I totally wanted to be her. The colors, the lights, the fight scenes? Excellent. Sometimes a movie is just supposed to be entertaining…it doesn’t have to change the course of cinema history to be good. I mean, people give this 2-stars and then rave over Malignant? Take that with a grain of salt. On second thought, just take the shaker.

The keywords already tell you the story outline, so I skip that. Most of this movie is fan service - a lot of (female) Max Payne (the real one, not the awkward 2008 dud); of Agent 47, a bit of John Wick, a nod to Leon ("all of them")... not too a complicated story, well-choreographed and filmed violence, nice modern Japanese atmosphere: I got what I expected, a satisfying action flick. And that's probably what Netflix ordered for us, "Because You Watched". But what made it really worth seeing this movie for me were a couple of minutes of actual acting. Winstead is great at her Terminator/MaxPayne/Leon/Wick/McClane-Show, and when she's allowed to act, she proves worth being the lead. But when Jun Kunimura turns up, he expresses so much in a little time, that was what really sold this movie to me. (Also, solid supporting performances. Kudos.) Overall: not as bad as critics say. Stylish Entertainment.

Action films with long, uncut, well-choreographed fighting sequences starring a couple of well-known actors seem to be one of the newest Hollywood trends. Kate is yet another entry in the exponentially growing list of action flicks boasting extraordinary stunt work but lacking compelling character work and an original story. Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Birds of Prey) proves her worth in the combat department, carrying the otherwise dull movie on her shoulders. Unfortunately, the remarkable actress isn't strong enough to elevate what's just another female assassin derivative narrative that viewers have witnessed countless times before. Rating: C+